But two chains – one a Northwest mainstay and the other a newcomer to the area – have gotten attention from our readers. Sarah G. asked us via Facebook when we might expect a Burgerville, and Paul N. is wondering if Five Guys Burgers and Fries is considering Keizer.

A caveat: It’s important to understand that, in any leasing situation, changes can happen rather quickly, or negotiations can stall for years at a time. We get all the official sources we can before putting forth an answer, but it is hardly an exact science.

First, let’s answer the question about the chain that’s a relative newcomer to the area.

Five Guys consists of both franchised and corporate-run stores, and was founded in Virginia in 1986. It boasts more than 500 locations 35 U.S. states and in Canada, and recently opened its first Salem-area location on Lancaster Drive. The style is known in the restaurant business as fast casual – little or no table service, but it’s not quite fast food either.

Molly Catalano, a spokesperson for Five Guys, told us the only planned new Oregon location at the moment is in Springfield, “but it’s great people are interested in us.”

So we called Ryan Coady, who owns the Lancaster Drive franchise and has rights to build in our area.

“Keizer is definitely a place we’re going to be coming to,” Coady told us. “Just not exactly sure where yet. We have it on our radar.”

He hopes to have two more locations up and running by the end of 2011, but “whether that’s in Keizer remains to be seen.” place we’re going to be coming to,” Coady told us. “Just not exactly sure where yet. We have it on our radar.”

He hopes to have two more locations up and running by the end of 2011, but “whether that’s in Keizer remains to be seen.”

Burgerville is a Portland-area staple known for using northwest ingredients like Tillamook cheese and their seasonal offerings like Walla Walla onion rings.

In addition to their Portland-area stores, their closest ones to Keizer are in Monmouth and Albany.

“They do get a lot of interest from the Salem-Keizer area but there are no store opening plans right now” for Burgerville, according to Megan Alpers, a member of the chain’s communications team.

In addition, the chain hasn’t been expanding its fixed locations lately.

The last brick-and-mortar store to open was in Vancouver, Wash. in 2001.

Keizer’s best hope for a Burgerville location may come on wheels.

“We don’t have any specific information on any store openings, but they are looking to expand possibly at the Burgerville Nomad – their mobile kitchen,” Alpers said.

There are so many ways to ask us whatever you like. We’ll ask the people who know to get the answers you want.

You can e-mail us at editor@keizertimes.com, tweet us on Twitter, post on our Facebook page or write us at 142 Chemawa Road N., Keizer, OR 97303.

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